SatSense has secured a landmark multi-million-pound, multi-year contract with Network Rail to deliver network-wide ground deformation monitoring, flood mapping and change detection services using satellite radar technology. This is the first time globally that integration of satellite-based ground monitoring has been undertaken at this scale by a major rail operator. The innovative approach paves the way for redefining geotechnical asset management and setting a new standard for sustainable infrastructure monitoring. SatSense is a leading interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) technology specialist based in Leeds, UK.
Under the agreement, SatSense will deliver processed InSAR data and derived services that integrate into Network Rail’s earthwork asset management systems, utilizing data from satellites such as the Sentinel-1, NISAR and TerraSAR-X constellations. The approach aims to enable a transition to reduce reliance on repeat on-site examinations which can be costly, subjective and untimely.
The new approach brings clear advantages over traditional monitoring. It cuts costs by reducing the need for regular site visits, with the potential for major long-term savings. Safety is improved too, as less time is spent on-site or in risky locations thanks to continuous remote monitoring. Data collection is not only faster but also more consistent, delivering millimetre-level accuracy that supports reliable trend analysis over time. And with near real-time insights available after every satellite pass, teams can move from reacting to problems to anticipating them – making maintenance more proactive and decisions more data-driven.
The implementation of the suite of remote sensing technologies will build upon, rather than replace, Network Rail’s decades of manual examination expertise. Existing asset knowledge will be used to validate and interpret Earth observation data for enhanced and optimized asset management decisions. This decision reflects the organization’s commitment to operational excellence.
“This partnership with SatSense advances our approach to geotechnical asset management and safety,” said Simon Abbott, network technical head of geotechnics at Network Rail. “The integration of near-real-time ground movement, flood and change detection data into our existing asset management capabilities will enhance our predictive capabilities, allow a more comprehensive and timely understanding of earthwork condition, and ultimately improve our risk management. It represents a significant step forward in how railway infrastructure intelligence is gathered and applied.”
“We are delighted with this appointment – it is a testament to the vision of decision-makers in Network Rail, and the quality of work delivered by the Network Rail and SatSense teams on this theme over the years,” commented Dr Matthew Bray, CEO of SatSense. “We’re excited to work on a world-first, realizing the benefits that remote sensing offers in rail, enhancing safety and reliability at scale.”
This first network-wide implementation is expected to influence adoption of integrated InSAR solutions across the global rail industry, with other major operators evaluating similar approaches. The contract demonstrates the commercial viability of integrated satellite-based infrastructure monitoring and establishes new benchmarks for railway asset management.
